Tag Archives: People living with HIV/AIDS

Whatever Happened To Luigi

If you happen to visit this blog and read about Luigi’s story (see the following links here – Alternative Lifestyle, So Young, Chatroom, AIDS Advocacy) you’d probably wonder how he is now or his present state of health.

Luigi and I have been in touch for a time. We were connected through Facebook. Yesterday, I saw his status dated March 5 and feel deeply saddened by what he said in it. He is not feeling well (again) caused by his compromised immune system. He lacks enough sleep and barely eats because he vomits a lot.

His status tells a lot about what he feels and what young people need to know about being responsible individuals. Please read on:

When my time comes, please never idolize me. Include me in your prayers. Go back to the living God. Be good and repent for the sins we commit.

More than a month of not sleeping well, 2-4 hrs of sleep for the past 10 days. I have been vomiting and can’t eat for the past 2 days.

I just want to say farewell to all of you. My previous post was deleted by a friend with my request to protect my family but I believe it is my purpose to share it so I am posting it again to encourage everyone to look at their lives and to go back to God.

For the youth, especially the Filipino youth, live in simple ways and stay away from sins and evil things like drugs and sex. Do not do what I did. Enrich your soul. Always talk to Him in spirit.

This day, March 5th marks the 6th year of me receiving a news from a partner that I have to get tested for HIV, which came back positive. Please do not be stigmatized (which some of you may do). I am asking for understanding that I do commit mistakes.

I am sharing this so that our young people will somehow learn from me. Stay away from temptations and evil things. Always pray. Read the Bible and seek for its understanding. Don’t be like me who is a risk taker. We do commit mistakes but never let it happen again and again.

The Almighty Father has a plan for everyone. I am trying to accept and live mine. He is great and I believe he has mercy.

For God so love the world that he give his only begotten son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but live an eternal life. (John 3:16).

It was nice knowing you all. I am planning to go home to my province soon and might not be on FB anymore though my friend knows my account.

I want to take this opportunity to say sorry for those I have done wrong. Hugs!

I wish to make a follow-up story about his present condition, but will have to ask his permission again.

UPDATE:

More than three years after the interview above, I checked on Luigi’s FB account and I learned that he is in the US now. He looks healthy and living on his own.

Where it all started

My journey to writing HIV/AIDS stories in the newspaper began from a photo exhibit at a popular mall in Mandaluyong City, which I have attended sometime in April 2002.

The photo exhibit was mounted by leading documentary photographers and HIV/AIDS specialists. They came up with the project to help the public learn, understand and appreciate the lives of men, women and children living with or affected by the incurable disease worldwide.

The exhibit, dubbed “Positive Lives Caravan: HIV/AIDS in the Philippines,” is a photographic exhibit that contains 120 photos from Japan, Korea, China, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and the Philippines.

The exhibit depicts the struggle of people living with the incurable disease and how they conduct their daily lives. It attempts to highlight that people with HIV can lead a normal life just like any other individuals.

A nameless photo of an Asian woman with HIV tells, “It (HIV) is there all the time, I always think about it, even when I am sleeping. I worry about what will happen to my daughter when I go.”

From the caravan, I met Joshua Formentera, he is (was) the president and executive director of the Positive Action Foundation Philippines Inc., a non-government organization, run by volunteers, both HIV and non-HOV positives, since 1998.

Joshua is HIV positive, a professional, and willing to share his story sans the pseudonym to conceal his true identity. You won’t need barcode scanners to identify him.

From the exclusive interview with Joshua lead me to do a series of stories with other people living with HIV/AIDS, most landed on the front page of our newspaper. And the rest, so they say, is history…

Beyond HIV and AIDS

This little book contains stories of individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

I received a complimentary copy from Joshua Formentera, President and Executive Director of PAFPI.

One of the stories written in this book belongs to Joshua. His story was initially published by my former newspaper, People’s Tonight.

The publication of this book was funded by PAFPI and the Ford Foundation.

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Part of my advocacy as a former health reporter is to spread correct information about HIV/AIDS.